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Saman Fry – සැමන් තෙල් දාලා

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The Soul of Saman Thel Dala

Category Cuisine Servings Total timeSpice levelKids friendly
Main CourseSri Lankan2 – 3 adult servings20 – 25 minutes🌶️🌶️🌶️⚠️

Saman thel dala is the cooked counterpart of the beloved saman sambol, bringing a deeper, warmer flavour through gentle frying. Made with canned salmon, onions, curry leaves and spices, it transforms a simple pantry ingredient into a rich and satisfying Sri Lankan dish.

As the salmon is stir‑fried with aromatics, it absorbs layers of flavour peppery, slightly spicy and fragrant with curry leaves. The texture becomes soft yet lightly crisp in parts, with caramelised onion adding natural sweetness. A squeeze of lime at the end lifts the dish, balancing the richness beautifully.

Often prepared as a quick lunch or dinner side, saman thel dala is commonly served with rice, pol roti or bread. It reflects Sri Lankan cooking at its most practical and comforting simple ingredients, quickly brought to life with heat and spice.

Ingredients

  • 1 tin (200 g) tin fish (salmon)
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 big onion
  • 1 – 2 green chillies
  • 1 tbsp garlic
  • 8 – 10 curry leaves
  • Salt, to taste
  • Juice of ½ lime

1 tsp Chilli Flakes Add To Cart

¼ tsp Turmeric Powder Add To Cart

½ tsp Pepper Crushed Add To Cart

Method

  1. Drain the canned salmon and lightly break it into chunky pieces. Do not mash completely.
  2. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Add curry leaves and let them release their aroma.
  4. Add onion, green chillies and garlic, and saute until softened and slightly golden.
  5. Add turmeric, chilli flakes, black pepper, sugar and a small amount of salt. Mix well.
  6. Add the salmon and gently toss, allowing it to absorb the flavours without breaking it too much.
  7. Stir fry for 2 – 3 minutes until slightly heated through and lightly crisp in parts.
  8. Remove from heat and squeeze lime juice over the top.
  9. Toss gently and serve immediately.

To Serve

  • With hot rice
  • With pol roti or bread
  • As a filling for sandwiches or wraps
  • Alongside dhal or simple vegetables

Making It Kid Friendly

To make a milder version suitable for children:

  • Skip green chillies and chilli flakes
  • Reduce black pepper
  • Add a little extra onion for sweetness

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